British lawmaker Tracy Brabin made headlines last week when she raised £20,200 ($26,336) for charity by selling the off-the-shoulder dress that caused a stir in the U.K. Parliament. The shadow secretary for the department of digital, culture, media, and sport for the opposition party auctioned off the controversial dress on eBay, with all proceeds going to Girlguiding U.K.
The “shouldergate” dress, which quickly sold out on Asos after the social media frenzy, received 180 bids on eBay. Brabin, a former actress, faced a barrage of sexist insults on Twitter after wearing the black dress in Parliament. However, she stood her ground and called out the sexist nature of the comments.
During various TV appearances, Brabin emphasized the importance of calling out everyday sexism and the need for tougher regulations on social media platforms to protect young people online. She chose to support Girlguiding U.K. due to their work in building young girls’ self-confidence and self-esteem, especially in the face of online harassment.
Brabin’s actions sparked a conversation about sexism in politics and the workplace, with many praising her for using her platform to raise awareness and funds for a worthy cause. As the debate continues, Brabin remains committed to advocating for stricter regulations to prioritize online safety over profit.